Celebrating the song traditions of Ireland, Scotland, and the Anglo-Celtic lands.

Máire Bhruinneall

Here’s a typical Irish love song for St. Valentine’s Day. This is a song from Donegal praising the beauty of a woman by the same name, and who leaves the singer broken-hearted (of course). It’s sung by Ciara McCrickard of At First Light. Song starts at 1:12

TRANSLATION (literal)
Oró Mháire Bhruinneal bláth na Finne
Oh Mary Bruinneal, flower of the Finn
‘ndaidh mé do leanúint aniar is anall
I followed you here and there
Ó ba bhinne liom do bhéal nó na cuacha seinm
Your mouth was sweeter to me than the cuckoo’s singing
‘S tú dfhág mise i ndeallaraí ‘bháis
And it’s you that has left me at death’s door

A mhéid é mo thuirse níor lear domh a choinneal
I am so grieved I couldn’t keep her
Deir siad gur mise a mheallas na mná
They said I was one who deceives women